"Best" Gaming Laptop Q1 2013 [Archive] - Colorado Sportbike Club Forums

Ghost

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 08:14 PM

I know gaming and laptop aren't the ideal combination, but it's what I have to go with since a desktop isn't exactly portable and I need to take my laptop with me for work (and then play at home).

I'm looking to play BF3 (and BF4 when it comes out) for hours at a time and I want it to play as close to 60fps as I can get on as high a resolution as the system can handle.

I don't care about 3D but I want a True HD screen (1920x1080) @ 60-120MHz and a BluRay player.

I'm going to play plugged in so I don't care about battery life, and I don't really care how heavy/big the laptop is since it's more desktop replacement than anything else.

I do, however, want a system that doesn't run so hot that it's melting the keys or my fingers.

My budget is $1600-2000 (and yes I know the MSI posted is over that, but it's close).

With that in mind, I'm looking at the following gaming laptop families:

Asus G75VW
Samsung Gamer Series 7
MSI GT70

So far, I'm leaning towards the MSI since it has the best stats (GTX680M, i7-3630Q, 16GB RAM, etc.) but it's also the most expensive of the 3.

(Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Corp-GT70-0NE-452US-9S7-176212-452/dp/B009H8RJMS)

I ruled out Alienware since it seems overpriced for what you get AND my friend has had nothing but issues with her new m18x overheating, shutting down and basically being useless even after being sent back to Dell for fan repairs/upgrades.

So, I'm looking for input on which to get and why and/or any alternatives I've overlooked/missed/etc.

Thanks in advance.

madvlad

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 08:34 PM

Can you even build your own laptop like a desktop?

Ghost

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 08:41 PM

Can you even build your own laptop like a desktop?

Probably, I've built my last 5 desktops plus some for friends, but I've never built a laptop.

madvlad

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 08:56 PM

Probably, I've built my last 5 desktops plus some for friends, but I've never built a laptop.

Word, I just assume with all the advancements there has to be a way to it given that $2,500 will get you a badass custom built pc I'm guessing

laspariahs

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 09:25 PM

https://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_customed&model_name=NP9370-3D

madvlad

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 09:28 PM

https://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_customed&model_name=NP9370-3D

Holy mother of all options lol... They offer everything short of a bathroom on that thing :lol:

The Black Knight

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 09:37 PM

See I heard Alienware got better after Dell acquired them. Guess not though I have heard more positive things about them as of late...

Ghost

Mon Feb 4th, 2013, 09:43 PM

https://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_customed&model_name=NP9370-3D

Nifty. Not as pretty as an Alienware but that doesn't really matter to me.

You ever actually use one of these? Are they as reliable as the othes?

See I heard Alienware got better after Dell acquired them. Guess not though I have heard more positive things about them as of late...

I think it's hit-or-miss, just like with any Dell product. AW is basically just a Dell with lights and a bump in price for the name.

JonnyD

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 07:30 AM

See I heard Alienware got better after Dell acquired them. Guess not though I have heard more positive things about them as of late...

I had an old Sentia model and that thing was a TANK. Its still going as someone's small business laptop. I've currently got a 3 year old M11x and have been VERY impressed with it. Not the fastest by any means, but it definitely does the job and is perfect for me as it fits in my camelback. I didn't spring for the warranty and they fixed the hinge problem on site a year after my warranty was out.

Unfortunately I know so few people that have them that I couldn't give you any other stories either way.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 08:26 AM

Nifty. Not as pretty as an Alienware but that doesn't really matter to me.

You ever actually use one of these? Are they as reliable as the othes?

I've never used one, but they have a good reputation. Personally I would prefer a understated look, I'm sure that all lights and stuff would get old after a week, unless you're a 13 year old boy.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 08:30 AM

https://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_customed&model_name=NP9170

This one is a little cheaper, since it doesn't have 3d. The rest of the specs are the same.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 08:46 AM

Oh yeah, Asus support completely sucks, there's no other way to put it. Though I really like their motherboards, my current desktop has an asus, I wouldn't want to put a whole laptop under their care. MSI has been ok in my experience, but nothing special

Ghosty

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 11:02 AM

I've built multiple gaming PC's (current is liquid cooled), known a TON of super-nerds in my time and never heard of any one of them "building" a laptop. That sounds like an awesome project though! I'd love to get into something like that but assume it wouldn't be very pretty. Considering how intricate and miniaturized all the internals are, compared to a big PC.

(By build, I mean actual parts build, not choosing options on a laptop.)

Are the Dell/Alienware out of your pricerange? I thought they had some killer ones in the 15"-17" size. I know the uber 19" gaming lappies (if there are many out there) are gonna be $2500 and up though. Iv'e heard good things about the ones listed, MSI, Sager, Alien, etc.

Ghost

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 11:40 AM

https://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_customed&model_name=NP9170

This one is a little cheaper, since it doesn't have 3d. The rest of the specs are the same.

Cool, I hate 3D so I'll check that out. The only advantage to the 3D screen is the 120MHz refresh vs the standard 60MHz, which should mean less ghosting.

Oh yeah, Asus support completely sucks, there's no other way to put it. Though I really like their motherboards, my current desktop has an asus, I wouldn't want to put a whole laptop under their care. MSI has been ok in my experience, but nothing special

I agree about ASUS. I've an ASUS MB and GPU, and their customer support really sucks.

Are the Dell/Alienware out of your pricerange? I thought they had some killer ones in the 15"-17" size. I know the uber 19" gaming lappies (if there are many out there) are gonna be $2500 and up though. Iv'e heard good things about the ones listed, MSI, Sager, Alien, etc.

I've mixed feelings about Dalienware. A good friend of mine had significant issues with their m17x & m18x and Dell wasn't exactly helpful in getting the problem resolved until it went to the BBB.

And, for the $$, I think Dell/AWs are overpriced. I built a Sager off that link lasp gave me and it was nearly $1k cheaper than the same build on the m17x...

Plus, with Dell, you get to talk to some assfuck in India unless you pay to buy US tech support...and that annoys me.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 11:58 AM

I've built multiple gaming PC's (current is liquid cooled), known a TON of super-nerds in my time and never heard of any one of them "building" a laptop. That sounds like an awesome project though! I'd love to get into something like that but assume it wouldn't be very pretty. Considering how intricate and miniaturized all the internals are, compared to a big PC.

Are the Dell/Alienware out of your pricerange? I thought they had some killer ones in the 15"-17" size. I know the uber 19" gaming lappies (if there are many out there) are gonna be $2500 and up though. Iv'e heard good things about the ones listed, MSI, Sager, Alien, etc.

I've "built" a laptop, about 8 or so years ago, it was an asus whitebox, basically you just bought the chassis and installed the processor, ram, hd etc. It wasn't anything special, but it did save a bit of money. I didn't know they still sold whitebox laptops.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 12:01 PM

Cool, I hate 3D so I'll check that out. The only advantage to the 3D screen is the 120MHz refresh vs the standard 60MHz, which should mean less ghosting.

I agree about ASUS. I've an ASUS MB and GPU, and their customer support really sucks.

I've mixed feelings about Dalienware. A good friend of mine had significant issues with their m17x & m18x and Dell wasn't exactly helpful in getting the problem resolved until it went to the BBB.

And, for the $$, I think Dell/AWs are overpriced. I built a Sager off that link lasp gave me and it was nearly $1k cheaper than the same build on the m17x...

Plus, with Dell, you get to talk to some assfuck in India unless you pay to buy US tech support...and that annoys me.

And with the sager you can get a matte screen, which imho is a requirement. I don't think you'd be disappointed with the sager, and I too hate 3d.

Aaron

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 12:21 PM

I currently have a Sager, about 3 years ago it was a pretty high end laptop. The battery went completely out on it, and although a replacement is just $70, I said fuck it since I always have it plugged in anyways. Now the bad part, over the last few months I lost two columns of pixels. Basically one is pink, another purple, all the time. Drives me crazy to the point I don't use it anymore.

Other than these two problems it's been good. It performed really well for a laptop back in the day, and prices were great for performance. I've just had much better luck with my Dell :-/

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 12:28 PM

willb003

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 12:55 PM

Ever since Dell took over Alienware they turned to crap. Another for your list is the Toshiba 17" rigs. I had one when I was in Florida for work and it was the tits. Altho it did get a little warm

Ghost

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 03:43 PM

Now the bad part, over the last few months I lost two columns of pixels. Basically one is pink, another purple, all the time. Drives me crazy to the point I don't use it anymore.

Hmm, that would suck for gaming...though I know Sager/Cleo use various screens, some are better than others (Chinese vs Korean).

Grim2.0

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 04:15 PM

Dafuq have you been?

madvlad

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 04:17 PM

He moved with dat bitch virginia :D

Aaron

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 04:41 PM

Interesting given that Clevo makes a lot of the dell products. Especially alienware.

Is Clevo bad? We use Dell Armored laptops at work, and I've been fairly impressed with mine. For what I put it through I have surprisingly few issues. And most of our issues end up being physically broken components from the abuse. But it's no gaming machine.

laspariahs

Tue Feb 5th, 2013, 08:08 PM

Is Clevo bad? We use Dell Armored laptops at work, and I've been fairly impressed with mine. For what I put it through I have surprisingly few issues. And most of our issues end up being physically broken components from the abuse. But it's no gaming machine.

Clevo makes Sager as well.

Ghost

Wed Feb 6th, 2013, 09:41 AM

Dafuq have you been?

Abducted by aliens?

Ghosty

Wed Feb 6th, 2013, 11:01 AM

I've "built" a laptop, about 8 or so years ago, it was an asus whitebox, basically you just bought the chassis and installed the processor, ram, hd etc. It wasn't anything special, but it did save a bit of money.
Interesting, never heard of those. Here's something I found, might have to try it sometime!

http://www.computershopper.com/feature/build-your-own-laptop

Grim2.0

Wed Feb 6th, 2013, 11:30 AM

Abducted by aliens?

That would be better than living in VA.

Zach929rr

Wed Feb 6th, 2013, 01:03 PM

Spend 1500 on a desktop and 400 to 500 on a cheap laptop to lug around.

Ghost

Thu Feb 7th, 2013, 09:35 AM

That would be better than living in VA.

probably.

Ghosty

Thu Feb 7th, 2013, 09:44 AM

Spend 1500 on a desktop and 400 to 500 on a cheap laptop to lug around.
If that's your route, you can even get real nice lappies on eBay, factory refurbished for around $300. I got my HP 6730b for $250 and it was pretty much new condition, and not too old, 15.4" WXGA screen. Just not the latest/greatest.

But does everything today's $500 BestBuy ones do. Perfect everyday use. Just wouldn't use it for high-end gaming, major Photoshop on HUGE files, or video editing might be a tad slow. But that's what your gaming rig is for.

laspariahs

Thu Feb 7th, 2013, 09:48 AM

If that's your route, you can even get real nice lappies on eBay, factory refurbished for around $300. I got my HP 6730b for $250 and it was pretty much new condition, and not too old, 15.4" WXGA screen. Just not the latest/greatest.

But does everything today's $500 BestBuy ones do. Perfect everyday use. Just wouldn't use it for high-end gaming, major Photoshop on HUGE files, or video editing might be a tad slow. But that's what your gaming rig is for.

Thinkpad T series for 500...

t_jolt

Thu Feb 7th, 2013, 11:11 AM

im really surprised no brought up these guys.

http://www.xoticpc.com/

i like ASUS. one of the few manufacturers that covers accidental damage.

Ghosty

Thu Feb 7th, 2013, 02:17 PM

I would hump that AlienWare m18x, wow.

++++++++++

Unfortunately I had a single most-horrible tech-support experience with an Asus-USA douchebag trying to get my new motherboard to work. He was so nasty, condescending, and asshole-ish, I vowed to never buy another Asus product again.

But obviously most people have had decent experiences with their products, when they work right, out of the box.

Ghost

Fri Feb 8th, 2013, 12:12 AM

im really surprised no brought up these guys.

http://www.xoticpc.com/

i like ASUS. one of the few manufacturers that covers accidental damage.

Heh, I go there to spec out systems but have never bought from them.

t_jolt

Fri Feb 8th, 2013, 08:01 AM

they are pretty awesome ghost.

call me again if you want to talk about computers :)

Tyrel

Zach929rr

Fri Feb 8th, 2013, 09:12 AM

My $.02 - I would never lug a $1500-2000 gaming laptop around with me. Weight, $$$ value, exposing to outside weather conditions, etc. No way no how.

Aaron

Fri Feb 8th, 2013, 11:03 AM

My $.02 - I would never lug a $1500-2000 gaming laptop around with me. Weight, $$$ value, exposing to outside weather conditions, etc. No way no how.

Throughout college I lugged around my Sager and Dell laptops. Although in today's world they don't match the performance, they still weigh the same and both have 17.1" widescreens. I still lug them around in fact, in my backpack a lot and even on the bike. It's a pain, but hasn't caused any problems.

That being said, I think my next computer combo will be an expensive gaming desktop and an iPad (Or similar, as long as it has USB ports).

Ghosty

Fri Feb 8th, 2013, 10:05 PM

Those big lappies are "desktop replacements", for someone who needs gaming/grfx/editing power, but doesn't want two entire PC's, or any big system in their apartment. Yeah no fun lugging those 9+ pounders around.

Ghost

Sat Feb 9th, 2013, 02:21 PM

I lugged an 11-12lb "laptop" all around Japan in 102-degree heat back in 2001, so I'm not all that worried about it.

I going for desktop replacement simply so I've less hassle (overall). I can set my laptop on the dining room table and play games, I can bring it into my office and dock it when I want the full-size keyboard and external monitor, I can hook it to my TV via HDMI to watch movies, etc. I just want one system for everything--no separate (amazing) tower and (shitty) laptop.

I realize it's not going to be as great a gamer as a dedicated tower, nor as light as a iPad, but I just want one do-it-all laptop to...do it all. Jack of All Trades isn't the best in any one area, but it should be good enough to play my BF3/BF4 and whatever else. And if I lug it to Caribou once a week, I can deal with the weight.

@T_jolt I may call you once I figure out what I'm doing.

Though, right now a Sager NP9570 w/ 2 SSDs in RAID 0 and a GTX680M (SLI later) sounds very tempting... ;)

EDIT: Though, of course, the less I spend on a new laptop the closer I get to buying this: http://www.hk-usa.com/civilian_products/mr762_general.asp

Ghosty

Sat Feb 9th, 2013, 05:31 PM

Though, right now a Sager NP9570 w/ 2 SSDs in RAID 0 and a GTX680M (SLI later) sounds very tempting...
Damn! Sounds like a $4k machine at least, hahaa. DEFINITE candidate for the nicest under-laptop cooling deck you can find!

I know how you feel about a big laptop, I used a Dell XPS Gen-2 when 17" just first came out, but it was my SOLE personal computer. Everyone thought it was gigantic and heavy, which it was. I'd definitely go with a 19" if I went that route again. Hook up an external 27" LCD (cheap now) with HDMI and USB keyboard/mouse and bam, there you got your uber desktop just fine.

Ghost

Sun Feb 10th, 2013, 01:19 AM

4k with SLI, just under $3k with one card. ;)

I'm just building things for the fun of it.
Not seriously going to buy a $4k computer.

Ghosty

Sun Feb 10th, 2013, 08:51 AM

I here ya, I love doing that with new cars/truck builds online too, but then you get to the total at the end and want to shoot yourself when what they say starts at $25k approaches $40k.

I just dropped $300 on a GTX670 card, and about to drop another ~$600 on a z77 motherboard, i7 CPU, CPU waterblock, and highspeed RAM, to rebuild my rig.

Ghosty

Tue Feb 12th, 2013, 11:42 AM

Ghost, did you see these 17" gaming laptop specials on TigerDirect this week? Don't look too shabby:

http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/email/wem3538/allgrb_02.jpg (https://e.tigerdirect.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGrwpA01SPFzb0UPza7zd zcKzcnYIzdzcieaGu9rKfVXtpKX%3DTTTBC&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWN53_VblJgGazJn6zX2uatte UMjxm0BF_VaNeCclg.) http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/email/wem3538/allgrb_03.jpg (https://e.tigerdirect.com/pub/cc?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGrwpA01SPFzb0UPza7zd zcKzcnYIzdzcieaGu9rKfVXtpKX%3DTTTBD&_ei_=EolaGGF4SNMvxFF7KucKuWN53_VblJgGazJn6zX2uatte UMjxm0BF_VaNeCclg.)